Bobby's story: "Before, I was a happy-go-lucky guy. Arthritis changed that."

Robert (Bobby) from South of Stranraer, Scotland, was diagnosed in 2020 with osteoarthritis in both knees. Living in immense pain, the wait began and it was more than two years before Bobby was even added to the waiting list for surgery. His first knee was replaced in November 2023, followed by his second the following August. Surgery was life changing. His mobility returned and he now plays walking football several times a week. Today, he encourages others living with the pain of arthritis or waiting for surgery to reach out to others. Bobby also hopes to raise awareness of walking football, so that more people can benefit from the physical and mental benefits it offers.

"I’d been suffering with a great deal of pain in both knees for some time. It was like someone was hitting my knees with a mash hammer. Then, in 2020, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Once I actually saw someone, there was no real delay in diagnosis. They basically just said: ‘You’ve got osteoarthritis’. But they also said that it was so bad they didn’t know which knee to tackle first! The delays came later. Because after that, I waited two and a half years for an appointment. Only then was I put on the waiting list for knee replacements.  

"Yes, it was painful in the knees, but also painful in the head. It played havoc with my thoughts, my mind, my life. The mental impact is phenomenal. You feel like you're a burden when you can’t do things. You try to keep going through the pain.  

"It was hellish at times, trying to keep going and keep a smile on your face. But in the end, the long painful wait for my knee replacements took a toll. I was always a happy-go-lucky guy, everyone bounced off me. And here I was now, all doom-and-gloom."  

Determined to recover well 

Thankfully, after I’d been on the list for a few months, I got a call asking if I’d consider going to a different hospital instead to reduce my wait from 18 months to 4 months. So, I took up the offer, and my first knee was replaced in November 2023. 

"My surgeon was fantastic and it all went well. But the only support I got was a book of exercises, which I did diligently before my surgery to build up muscle. I wanted a full recovery, and it worked. Afterwards, there was a phone call six weeks later to see how things were. Plus, they sent me a tick-box form to track my progress. But no physiotherapy was mentioned. In hindsight, I didn’t need it because as well as following the exercise book’s advice, I was also walking my two black labradors a lot. But it was never offered. 

"The following August, my second knee was replaced. I felt lucky to get it done so soon after the first! And again, I recovered well. After a long, painful and frustrating wait, my mobility was back and it was amazing. I’m not sore anymore. Before, I wouldn’t have dreamt of getting down onto my knees. But now, I can get down and back up again, no problem. I’m even playing walking football again three or four times a week – something I loved doing, but which arthritis took from me.  

The life-changing impact of surgery 

"When I see some of the people out there waiting, I encourage them to push for it because it’s life changing. You wake up from surgery and the pain is gone. I was a totally different person.  

"Honestly, I didn’t know how much my osteoarthritis had impacted me until I had my knees replaced. Before, I had to go up chimneys for work, and I was really restricted on how much I could climb a ladder. I’ve worked every day since I left school. And feeling like I couldn’t give it 100% because of how severe the knee pain was hit me so hard. But now I can go up and down ladders again easily!  

"People can struggle to understand what it’s really like to live with arthritis. But if you want an idea, do without something that's really important to you for a month. Because then you might begin to understand some of what we’re going through. We can’t always do the things we want to do.

The importance of community and communication

"Finding good people who understand what you’re going through is so important for your mental health when it comes to arthritis. The walking football club (started by Arthritis UK’s Regional Officer for Scotland, Gary) is a great example. The support they give (and which Gary offers in particular) is so good – they’re always there to talk to if you need anything, always willing to help. They put so much work into the club, which gets us out and about, the banter flowing and the camaraderie going. It’s so important. It lifts your mind.  

"Not as many people know about walking football and other forms of support as they should. Yes, it would help if they could receive treatment a lot sooner. But the waiting game is horrible, too. People need to be made aware that support exists. We need to share what is available locally and encourage people to go and get that support.  

"The other day, I got someone new along to walking football who’d never played before. He came up to me afterwards and told me he’d be coming again! You see people with smiles on their face, loving it. But people don’t know it’s available! We want to spread the word about walking football, to show people we’re there. Let's get out there and help each other in this big wide world. Arthritis is tough, but you don’t have to go it alone."  

Resisting the pull of negative thoughts  

"I’ve lost so many mates I grew up with, played football with, to things like cancer, and I'm so glad to have come out the other side of this. So, if you’re living with the pain of arthritis, perhaps waiting for surgery, try and be positive. I know it’s hard. But speak to people. Stay involved. Use your friends.

"When I look back, I wish I could tell myself to hang in there. To try and make do. It's easier said than done but try to resist arthritis dragging you down into the gloom. I wish I could reassure myself at the point of my diagnosis that my knees can and would be replaced. That I would get my life back. That arthritis wouldn’t be the end of my story."